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The 
Wept of Wish -ton -Wish 



An Indian Romance 



By 



HARRIS T. DUNBAR 




An old tale retold from the viewpoint 
of the Indian 



Sfi" 






COPYKIGHTKD 1917 

BV 

HARRIS T. DUNBAR 



©GI.A460902 
I7l3r/ 



^- 



TO 

JAMES FENIMORE COOPER 

WHOSE KINDLY PEN HAS GIVEN THE AUTHOR 

THE TITLE AND THEME, THESE VERSES 

ARE AFFECTIONATELY 

DEDICATED 



Preface 

When the dour pilgrim, Persecution's son, 
Ungentled by the milk of that shrew breast, 
Upon this western land did set his foot 
He found it peopled by a kindly folk, 
In scattered hamlets and of numbers few, 
Survivors of a decimating plague. 

Most strange the traverse of the human mind ! 
That one galled by oppression's yoke 
Should not have heed and teach his son 
That ne'er injustice still his heart 
And urge his hand to wanton stroke, 
Is strange, surprising strange. 

Most strange the traverse of the human mind ! 
That one who'd felt gaunt hunger's pinch 
Could ere forget the hand that gave 
A portion from a meager store. 
Deprived itself to share distress. 
Is strange, surprising strange. 

Most strange the traverse of the human mind ! 

That one who prated of a Christ, 

A gentle soul by every script, . 

Could do to others he would not 

That they should do to him, 

Is strange, surprising strange. 

But justice be unto the mate: 

Her heart, though chilled with fear for him 

And for their children, ere did urge 

To Mercy's practice and her act 

Benignant both to friend and foe 

By drear misfortune stricken low. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 



I. 



To the sleeping youth Conanchet 
Came the spirit of his father, 
Miantonomoh, the sachem 
Of the tribe of Narragansetts. 

"Can it be thou hast forgotten 
How the Yengees did betray me 
To the hand of vengeful Uncas, 
Sachem of the groveling Pequots? 

"Thou art young yet, but prepare thee ; 
Go thou to the place of slaughter 
Where the Wish-ton-Wish made eyrie, 
There the pale face makes his dwelling. 

"Naught is sacred to his land lust; 
Turned the soil which drank my life blood 
And the mound which gave sepulchre 
To my body razed and scattered. 

"Go thou there and reconnoitre ; 

Study that there be no failure ; 

When thou art come unto manhood 

Strike ! And strike till you have conquered !" 

And Conanchet thus admonished 
Straightway made his preparation. 
Spared his mother of his purpose, 
Said naught to the tribe about it. 

Had he not been sure in woodcraft 
Wish-ton-Wish perchance had 'scaped him, 
For the work of demolition 
All had changed that scarce he knew it. 



The Wept of Wish-tori-Wish 

In a palisaded clearing 

Stood a cluster of log houses, 

In their midst a ported blockhouse 

Frowned o'er all for their protection. 

And the forest all about him 
Sacrificed to axe and fire 
Held its shade at such a distance 
That surprise became uncertain. 

Stubble pricked his foot in passing 
Where the field its crop had nourished, 
And the charred stumps yet remaining 
Mourned above the forest ashes. 

Slow the processes of nature ; 
These for many years would shelter 
Him who sought a covert nearing 
To the walls of the rude fortress. 

This advantage soon was useful ; 

As he lay in cover musing 

Creaked the gate through the night silence 

And a horseman left its safety. 

Not long after came a woman 
From the wall some timid paces, 
With her eye the rider followed 
Till the darksome wood prevented : 

Then the moonlit field examined. 
Fathomed all its darkest places ; 
Spurred by some too frightful picture 
Flew to close the gate yet open. 

Had the shadow told its secret? 
Had his sparkling eye revealed him ? 
Bravely watched she at the postern 
Opened at her husband's coming. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

This digression gave Conanchet 

A small chance to move unnoted ; 

But all his subtlety despite 

Two well armed men made capture sure. 



10 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

II. 

The irksome days of his restraint 
Dragged through their fruitless course ; 
No sign of careless watchfulness 
Gave him a gleam of hope ; 
The latest survey of the wall 
Took not from the despair 
Implanted by his impotence 
In previous survey. 

No friend knew of his dreary plight ; 
Yet long hours at the ports 
He gazed upon the free without 
And watched for friendly sign, 
Or listened for the wild bird sounds 
Which to his cunning ear 
The joyous knowledge would impart 
That rescue was in view. 

The white chief, an austere old man. 

Came each day to the block 

And prayed aloud in unknown tongue 

Harsh to the baited boy. 

But no unkindness marked his act; 

Indeed the old man sought 

By constant care of creature want 

Repulsion to allay. 

And in the oft repeated prayer 
Conanchet could surmise 
That he the moving subject was 
Of seeming great import. 
Whate'er to higher power said, 
Whatever boon besought, 
Unsoftened was the old chief's heart. 
Unchanged the red boy's state. 

One night a stranger followed in, 
A man of equal age. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 11 

And long conversed they when the chief 

Left the blockhouse alone; 

The tv/o remaining spent the days 

Of many months together, 

Although the stranger went at will, 

But always in the night. 

He plainly was some refugee 

By the white chief protected. 

Conanchet felt a fellowship 

And yielded to its pleading; 

So they grew friendly, and to pass 

The time more quickly over 

The stranger taught him of his tongue 

That they might talk together. 

This friend, indeed, moved the white chief 

The boy's health to preserve 

A guarded freedom to allow 

Within the palisade ; 

Yea, even to the field one day. 

This was Conanchet's chance. 

Up and way, fleet boy ! 

Well done ! — But in vain. 

Thereafter to enclosure held, 

Yet heartened ne'ertheless ; 

One chance he'd had — On speed the next ! 

Strength was his all-need ; 

And so he bided, ever watched 

Peered for friendly sign 

Which joyous knowledge would impart 

That rescue was in view. 

The irksome days of his restraint 
Dragged through their fruitless course. 
No sign of careless watchfulness 
Gave him a gleam of hope ; 



12 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

But hope he must and mope must not 
And garner strength each day 
And knowledge of the white man 
To meet his subtlety. 

Season followed season. 

Conanchet could but note 

That the woman who had trapped him 

Was sorry for the fact. 

She sensed his knowledge of her tongue 

But forced not his reserve ; 

And soon a bond of sympathy 

Was evident to both. 

Resentment spared her daughter small 

Who to the mother clung, 

And ceased her prattle when he came 

Within her timid view. 

Her stern grandfather she caressed 

And played about his knee 

Which shocked Conanchet's prejudice; 

Was the white chief all cold ? 

To the conscience of Conanchet 
Spoke the spirit of his father : 
"Can it be thou hast forgotten 
How the white man did betray me?" 

"Father, no ! Oh no, my father ! 
But the white woman is gentle. 
Innocent her little daughter, 
And the stranger gave me succor. 

"The white chief has built his dwelling 
On the spot by thy blood hallowed. 
Cleansed it shall be, all deported, 
That it gain its pristine beauty." 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 13 

III. 

How learned the tribe Conanchet was at Wish-ton-Wish? 
Some traveler perchance had mentioned in some town 
That he had seen a Narragansett there confined, 
And Smith told Jones and Jones told Brown until no doubt 
The rumor had been heard by Indian ear. 

And did the mother hesitate to be convinced? 
No ! No ! All know the fate of others of the tribe ; 
And if a Narragansett was at Wish-ton-Wish 
It must be that he was her long mourned boy. . 



14 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

IV. 

There came a day 
When at the instance of his friend 
Conanchet was, on honor, sent 
To join the young men in a hunt. 
At night, in honor, came he back 
Though late, his freedom to prolong, 
And crossed a trail whose portent thrilled 
His heart most to the stopping. 

Honor bright ! Honor tight ! 

To the allurement of that trail 

He stifled heed, compelled his step 

To seek the palisade. 

Much pleased he found all safe returned, 

Their manner showed the doubt they'd felt ; 

Then banter and the day's tales told 

Proclaimed their unsuspicious ease. 

Would one make entrance to the fort 
He first must blow upon a conch 
Which hung upon the wall outside. 
Thus had Conanchet done ; and strange, 
The refugee had joined him there : 
And when admitted sought the chief 
As on a visit from afar, 
Preserved a semblance of rare meeting. 

What was the object of this play 

Conanchet never learned; 

The stranger's plans v/ere all upset 

By unforseen events. 

When several times a false call came 

From conch outside the wall, 

The stranger and another went 

To scout — and brought an arrow. 

And glad it had not struck. 

"Quick ! To the wall," from the white chief, 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 15 

"And women, to your stations, too. 
I with my friend will here advise 
And join you soon." And thereupon 
Conanchet felt the old chief's gaze, 
Who, turning to the other, said : 
"Can this boy have had hand in this?" 

"No !" was the answer, "Tis impossible, 

Impossible of performance, 

Impossible to his quality." 

"I think you're right ; 

And e'er on either side a loss 

Cannot you send the boy to treat?" 

"I might," replied the refugee, 

And turning to Conanchet, thus : 

"Boy, is not this country wide enough 

For white and red? 

Wilt thou not effort make to stop 

The slaughter that must come to thine 

Whate'er our fate?" 

Conanchet nodded yes. 

And proud he went out through the gate 

To seek his friends. 

With loud acclaim was he received. 
"Yes, there was the boy and well !" 
And pressed to touch him. 
Conanchet, to his errand bent 
Thus spoke : "My friends, to rescue me 
Many braves this life must end ; 
Many tepees mourning know ; 
And I may yet escape." 

Then grave the sachem asked him this : 
"Will further harm be done to thee?" 
"No," said Conanchet. 
"Thy mother weeps ; her time is short ; 
All has been considered. Our answer 
These arrows by a snakeskin bound." 



16 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

And, proud in sorrow, to the fort 
The backward way Conanchet took. 

Oh wert thou mother in rude fort 
Surrounded by a savage foe, 
And the wood walls but held by few. 
Compelled to quit thy baby's sight 
To aid protection to that tot, 
Would not thy speedy mind devise 
Some last expedient to save 
In abnegation all of self? 

"Conanchet, by the grace thou hast, 
I pledge thee to my little girl." 
And soon, in life, her trust confirmed : 
The first redskin who scaled the wall 
Had brained the mother and the child 
Had not Conanchet stayed his hand. 
And sent him on to further quest. 
"These two are mine," he said. 

All soon the whites must to the block. 
Conanchet took his charge aside 
To safety ; and, now free at last, 
Struck no avenging blow. 
No! No! His soul was filled with dread 
As quick the acts of frenzied friends 
Made all too sure the coming fate 
Of his heart-comrades now confessed. 

To the spirit of his father 
Spoke Conanchet in his anguish : 
"Miantonomoh, beloved, 
Stay, oh stay this punishment ! 

"Did I not first rouse suspicion ? 
These are not the ones who struck thee. 
Seest thou not that they were kindly 
To one come in enmity?" 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 17 

The whites confined within the block 
Were safe against the red men's means 
Save one. Soon flame took willing part, 
By water quenched to spring again. 
When water ceased Conanchet heard 
The white chief's voice in prayer raised, 
A hymn ; then silence till powder's flash 
Gave violence to grilling heat. 

All leveled when next day the sun 
At noon smiled down upon the scene, 
Save that the well-wall, whence had come 
The water used within the block, 
Stood as a broken monument 
Above the embers glowing yet. 
Alone, Conanchet shed his tears. 
Then followed the rejoicing tribe. 



18^ The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

V. 

Who is so just that he can weigh 
The action of another, 
Can lay his grab-to-self aside. 
Eliminate condonement? 
The common practice of a race 
In time becomes criterion : 
Customs vary — standards vary 
In persons as in nations. 

To give an instance pertinent, 

Recall you that the pilgrim 

Came from a country where the land 

Was held in fee forever : 

The Indian custom quite reverse 

Admitted of no owner ; 

The land belonged to the commune 

And had no certain portions. 

How could the two in understanding meet? 
Neither knew the other's tongue or way. 
The Indian could conquest comprehend : 
But here came one in amity, who used 
A portion of his lands, as who might not, 
And then would prive him of his friendly right 
To use the same. Communism thus unkind 
Was unknown to the practice of the tribes. 

And in the custom of the English race 

Whence came the right its king assumed to grant? 

What alchemy his august form convulsed 

That substituted him to the true ovvmer? 

A most persistent casuist 

The pilgrim, yet his conscience 

Had been most easy to appease 

If he could feel clear title. 

He spoke a mystic jargon 
To Lo bewildering. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 19 

His greed found offense hidden 
In Lo's most natural act. 
Spoliation and contumely 
Till manhood could not bear 
Was followed by reprisal, 
Savage as impotent. 

Had the pilgrim not claimed conscience, 
It might be said that he 
Did as always had been done 
And sensed no better way. 
His wondrous capability 
Had held them to his sway 
Till education equalled them — 
Combined the best of both. 

Is "what is" right? "What was" was right. 

Oh grim such axiom ! 

"What is" is not right. "What was," grim, 

Though sanctioned all by nature. 

Is nature then benign or grim ? 

Follow to the forest 

And find her in state primitive 

To note the kosmic urge. 

Awesome tranquility pervades ; 

Remote ambition's moil 

The splendor of the carpet green. 

The mystery of shades, 

Compel the soul to reverence : 

In hallowed harmony 

The voices of the senses tuned, 

And lull to ecstasy. 

Here surely fellowship serene? 

The mirror of the brook 

This realm of beauty makes two fold, 

And hides no cruelty? 

A trout jumps out and catches fly 

And as it falls is caught. 



20 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

A fledgling sparrow fallen down 
The purling ripple drowns. 

The hawk swoops on its quarry down, 
The wolf tears injured mate; 
Each denizen some weaker finds 
To sate its appetite : 
Tree blights tree to reach the light, 
Grass smothers grass ; and all 
From the fallen nurture take — 
At last themselves consumed. 

Man, endowed beyond the rest, 
Kills all with wanton hand. 
Fights and kills to win a mate, 
Kills and robs at envy's call. 
Benign is nature that it gives 
To all a certain heedlessness 
Narcotic to attendant fear, 
To their ease brave happiness. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 21 



VI. 



The infant mind short sorrow knows : 
And so our little girl 
Forgot the kindness she had known 
In kindness that she knew. 

Conanchet's mother mothered her 
As had she been her own : 
All the Indian virtue taught 
As well as Indian art. 

Too immature to know white lore 
When in the tribe she came, 
She blossomed to an Indian maid 
Like all, save her white skin. 

The lily in Conanchet's tongue 
Was Narramattah called : 
Her charm and her chaste beauty pale 
For her this fond name won. 

O'er mother, son and foster child 
The swift years took their flight : 
Stout manhood to Conanchet came 
Long e'er she was mature. 

Her guardian ever ; no soft fear 
His presence could survive : 
The tribe, too, felt his mastery ; 
Elected him to chief. 

But e'er this honor to him came. 
One time when meat was scarce, 
There came a sachem, Metacom, 
To counsel with the tribe. 

As was her due, the mother sat 
Within the council ring : 
Conanchet and the young men kept 
Aloof ; yet could they hear. 



22 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

The children ceased their noisy games 
That silence might be full 
Save the calm drone of Metacom, 
Who to the tribe thus spoke : 

"Miantonomoh, the wise, 
I miss amidst your ranks ; 
I see a widow gaunt and wan : — 
Doth hunger help to this? 

"As with my friends I hither came, 
No deer track did we see ; 
The beaver's dam in bad repair, 
The birds are swift to flight. 

"Your camp is hid in vale remote, 
Surrounded by high hills, 
The smoke consumed within the air 
To distant vision lost. 

"What dread, my brothers? Lurks some foe 
Within a short march hence 
Who has, mayhap, the game destroyed, 
And follows with an axe? 

"If that I guess your trouble sore. 
It is because that we 
Have known a greater injury 
And think of remedy. 

"My father had another son. 

My elder, now no more, 

Who sought by all the means of peace 

That justice might prevail. 

"Our game is flown ; our children cry ; 
Deplete our larders stand. 
The fields we shared, we share no more, 
Our presence unwelcome. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

"Each year finds some new law 
By the intruders made : — 
New law from them our land to rule ! 
Become we freeborn slaves ? 

"Nor are we free from violence. 
Now are we to you come 
To counsel and alliance seek 
E'er all is lost. 

"This done we seek the other tribes — 
Yea ! well I know your hate ; 
But animosities must stay 
When preservation prompts. 

"Struck Miantonomoh not first; 
Led not in ancient grudge 
The whites unto the Pequot homes ? 
How few were spared ! 

"I ask not that ye love Uncas 
But that you bide and join ; 
That mutual wrongs an offset find 
In mutual benefits. 

"Oh would ye waste your brothers ! 
The white who wronged ye both 
Will need less effort to his end. 
How few are spared ! 

"If consanguinity have power, 
Oh let it urge ye now. 
Determination ne'er-the-less 
Wait on wide debate. 

"The warrior finds respite in death. 
The mother and the wife 
To glutted desolation prey 
Should first be heard. 



24 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

"What says the widow of your chief? 
She knows one grief in full ; 
And mourned her son long as one lost — 
What says her heart?" 

As twitched her face 
The widow long in silence sat, 
Then, when calm had come, 
Rose to her feet and said : 

"The mother brave would have her son a man, 
The wife her mate must hold in pride!" 
And, sobbing, all the women rose 
To draw aside. 

The Narragansett sachem then 
Would know what certain plan 
The study of the Wampanoags 
Had led them to adopt. 

Thus Metacomet laid it out: 
Their arms would not avail; 
There must a preparation be 
Till came the time to strike. 

A white tribe dwelt in the north woods, 
To the Yengees a foe; 
From them could weapons be procured, 
And must be as they could. 

The Yengees must not know of this. 
But should be led to think 
The tribes were ill armed, scattered wide. 
Unorganized, docile. 

The council broken, the Wampanoags apart 
Gave their hosts a chance to mull the thought ; 
Though Metacom the widow visited. 
And learned the story of the palefaced maid. 



The Wept of Wish-tQU-Wish 25 

And, stern repression softened by her charm, 
She found a man of gentle thoughtf ulness 
To whom her brave Conanchet honor paid ; 
And she must yield her timid confidence. 

For several days acquaintance riped. 
Meanwhile the older men 
In groups consulted or alone 
Mused o'er the weighty theme. 

The wives and mothers kept intrepid way, 
The maids learned new temerities, 
The eager striplings bided as they must. 
The children changed the tenor of their play. 

The elders when determination came. 
Told Metacomet they would join with him ; 
To preparation should their means be pledged. 
And, sad, the Wampanoags departure took. 



26 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

VIL 

Long lay this visit heavy on the camp, 
And long trips must the hunters make 
In search of meat and pelts. 
The latter, when enough were stored, 
Were taken to the far north woods 
To change for precious freight. 

And so Conanchet oft was absent long. 

Much missed by maid and mother, whose fond hearts 

Saw dangers that his strength did never know. 

As oft their theme, to solace, they discussed 

The mother felt the maiden's tenderness 

Imported more than Narramattah knew. 

One evening as upon the green they sat. 
The murmur of the brook a pleasing song, 
The moon just risen twilight to prolong, 
And Narramattah toyed an amulet. 
Which Metacomet placed about her neck 
In loving farewell, asked the maid : 

"Mother, tell me of the white folk. 

Whence they came and whence their power. 

Why does Metacomet hate them 

And yet love me who am of them ? 

How did Miantonomoh 

So incense them that they slew him?" 

"Child, it is a dreary story. 

One on which I dread to linger. 

That oblivion might engulf it 

Is my prayer. It will but sadden 

If I tell it, and your loving heart 

Will burden as might well be spared." 

"Mother, share it. Have I not known 
Ever kindness ? 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 27 

Art thou not Conanchet's mother ; 
Did he not save life for me ? 
The mere telling and the mingling 
Of our tears will lighten thee." 

For some time they sat in silence. 
Then the mother told the story. 

"Ere Indian dreamed of faces pale 
There came a dreadful sickness here, 
Beneath which waned the strongest forms ; 
And, where had been a numerous folk 
Became a scattered few. 
Heavy was the hand of Manitou ! 

"Came home a warrior, Samoset, 

Who far had wandered, and who told 

Of pale faced people he had seen ; 

And made some raucous noises queer 

He said were of their speech. 

But all thought that his tongue was forked. 

"Massasoit, then a young chief, 
Whose second son is Metacom, 
Stood one day amidst his tribe 
Whilst from the sea a monster boat. 
Of strange construction, held its course 
Into an inlet close beside. 

"And, as the anchor sought its bed. 
Midst clanking of the running chain, 
A tremor seized the timid ones 
Increased to terror, when the ship 
Stood motionless within the tide 
And sails were furled which hid the view. 

"For, on the boat were seen strong forms, 

Of manlike action, but enclosed 

In undreamed vestments, head to foot. 



28 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

Save hand and face ; more fearful still 
The face was as the darkened foam 
Of the dread ocean whence they came. 

"A smaller boat dropped o'er the side. 
This, filled and by long paddles moved, 
Sought a safe landing, and when found 
The inmates sprang upon the rock; 
Except a few, who took the boat 
Back to the ship to fill again. 

"And when the repetition ceased 
With heads uncovered, kneeling low, 
They ranged about a standing chief. 
Whose lips, for some time, moved as though 
To some unseen form in the sky 
Petition went. And then all rose. 

"The tribe, with sidelong glances, watched 

The face of the wise Massasoit, 

To glean, from the expression there, 

What portent he took from the play : 

Much daunted by the spectacle 

They rested till he gave command. 

" 'My brothers, these be men as we 
Though of a type before not seen. 
And, to us unknown, how can they 
Have enmity ? They seem to be 
Of such men as Samoset told. 
Are not their women with them too ? 

" 'Can it not be that Manitou 

Has sent these strangers to our aid, 

To help us in our weakened state. 

And teach us subtleties unknown? 

Go seek Samoset ! 

Perhaps he can give welcome in their tongue.' 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 29 

"So Samoset the strangers sought 

With 'Welcome, whitemen, welcome here!' 

And thus was friendly intercourse begun. 

Most strange their ways seemed to the Wampanoags, 

Which was the tribe in whose midst they were come, 

And soon the news spread to the tribes about. 

"Many of their implements you've seen, 

And know what skill may fashion with their use ; 

And know the power of their firearms. 

But had you never dream^ed of such, 

Would not your wonder turn to awe 

Their magic was so strong? 

"But they were kind ; in some ways 

Much the same as we. 

Soon we found, their skill despite, 

They needed help. 

Sickness and hunger took their toll. 

And misery was great. 

"The Wampanoags shared of their store. 
Showed them how to grow the grain 
E'er yet the trees were gone. 
Many died. But their great boats 
Kept bringing more. Soon hamlets spread 
Till in our range they came. 

"In many ways are they to us uncouth, 

Lack comprehension of amenities ; 

Of religion they are surfeit — prate of a kind God 

In whose name they kill all who deviate 

From their conception — Yes! At the stake 

Women of their own are choked, hath Metacomet said. 

"Long years rolled on. 
The doting Massasoit held all in check, 
Taught us from our homes withdraw. 
Than strike a blow our wrongs to right. 



30 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

At last, acknowledged to their creed, , 
Baptised his sons with Yengees names. 

"And would we all would. How Miantonomoh 
Their hatred did incur I do not know — 
Perplexity for him to whom they talk. 
They first induced him to hunt the Pequot ; 
And then, with Pequot, hunted him in turn, 
And bared his breast unto the Pequot knife." 

No more the maid her tears could hold, 
And sought her head the mother breast. 
Their joy in sorrow shared was short, 
For called Conanchet, who by long day's march 
Had cut arrival by a slow night's length. 
And brought serenity into the camp. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish SI 

VIII. 

Hast seen a maid bowed fore a man, 
Whose furtive eye eluded his 
Lest it might blab her secret held. 
And answer give e'er question asked? 

Hast heard of man of prowess bold, 
That all men yielded leadership, 
Whose ready speech their wisdom was, 
Yet flustrate by a gentle maid ? 

Thus Narramattah, the serene; 
Conanchet thus, chief of his tribe ; 
His tongue, in ardent tim'rousness, 
By indirection sought its end. 

"When thy mother, Narramattah, 
Bound me to your preservation. 
Did she plead but of that moment — 
Thy life saved was all fulfilled ? 

"My dear mother did not hold so, 
But that duty e'er must ward thee 
And her dying admonition 
Urged me to continued care. 

"Thus by both our mothers bidden 
'Twere unholy that we parted. 
Or thinkst thou different ? 
Tell me truly, Narramattah." 

"I'm glad, Conanchet, thus to hear you speak. 
No young man know I in the tribe throughout 
Whom I v/ould leave my brother's lodge to join 
Or wed in content were it thy behest. 

"Or has my brother chose one he will wed 
And I am one too many in his lodge? 



82 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

We three before the happy day doth come 
Can build me yet a lodge, safe in thy sight." 

"No! No! Narramattah, No! No! 
Thou callst me brother as thy wont — 
Oh ye two mothers gone before 
All brotherhood I here renounce ! 

"Doth brother bless his sister and his chum 
Or at her breathing of his best friend's name 
Loose all consideration ; and his brain 
By the mere thinking swift would kill ? 

"Doth any moment of a day serene 

Take on a gloom the sister out of sight? 

Do dreams of her elusiveness so torture that he wakes 

Nor sleeps again seized by his fancy's power? 

"I love thee, Narramattah ! And must wed 
Or — Nay ! I'll spare thee of my moan. 
Wilt thou wed me? — Ah, my sweet wife, 
My tongue cannot command the words. 

"Why fall my tears? 
Oh, do thou tell thy Conanchet 
How thou lov'st — e'en though no word 
Can add to what he knows." 

"Not so tight dear heart — 

And kiss me as thou saw'st my mother do. 

How sweet thy strength — 

Together can we face the world. 

"Thy Narramattah can but babble — 

Or rather, cannot — 

It seems in silence must I pledge me." 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 



IX. 



An Indian runner forced his hidden way, 
His lithe form winding through the forest dense, 
That scarce a rustle made the parted twigs 
As they swung back the passage to efface ; 
His silent foot chose fav'ring sites to tread. 
And scarce a trail was left for searching eye. 

As now he neared the goal his errand sought 
The forest had become a vasty swamp, 
To the white man a tangle ; so that he 
Was at great disadvantage, ventured not 
To follow his red foes ; his labor here 
Became their ease his life to end. 

Yet is some firm ground central to the ooze 
To whose few acres must description jump. 
An op'ning in the forest held a pond 
Wherein two islands to the shore were joined 
By a rude bridge of single logs composed. 
Whose centre rested on the tiny isle. 

So narrow was the moat by nature built 

E'en noontide shadows from the trees could cross 

And variegate the green of lily pads, 

And kiss the open flowers, 

And paint their shapes upon the waters. 

That beauty yielded to the wooing. 

But would protection ravage hold at bay. 
It must the larger island quite enclose 
With such a thick and tangled mass of hedge 
That ne'er a glance could dodge its myriad leaves, 
Nor body enter save through the block house 
Which held the bridge, and frighted beauty not. 

Within the Narragansetts felt secure ; 
Want or cold their thrift could here placate. 



34 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

Our runner, now within the purlieus of the fort, 
Gave chance to note his nation and his manner. 
Accosted soon he followed to the chief 
Who after some repast a council called. 

"By Metacomet to Conanchet sent 

I warn him and the members of his tribe 

Our plans have been by Sausamon betrayed : 

That Metacomet called before their bar 

Was, in suspicion, suffered to depart 

As they could not connect him to a plot. 

"The traitor having ventured in our midst 
Received the death his action merited ; 
For which, three of our men were seized and tried, 
Condemned on 'cooked up' evidence, 
Forthwith executed in contempt of our plea : 
Propitious seems the time to white desire ! 

"The Massachusetts and the Nipmucks with us join. 

Uncas and his Pequots hold aloof, 

So cowed they may seek favor of the whites. 

We trust them not ! Their few we'll do without ! 

Delay but courts disaster; 

Metacomet is already thus engaged. 

"To give the old, the women and the young 
A chance to find the shelter of your block 
He, with his warriors, strikes a town remote : 
To which the whites, when advised of the stroke, 
Must hasten, find the hot trail and chase 
To save the others of that neighborhood. 

"But Metacomet plans from there to jump 
To unsuspected, unsuspecting place. 
Annihilation's easy quickly prey. 
Repeating, thus to baffle and divide 
The power of the whites until he hears 
All are safely housed here, stores complete. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 35 

"Then, as seems best, either join you here 

Or you join him ; but all as time shall show. 

Spoil would but hamper ; or if sent here 

Disclose the point they best could strike. 

Slaughter's the word — which their confusion aids. 

We'll kill them piecemeal ! He'll keep you well advised." 

This ruthless program desp'rately fulfilled 
By those who felt no worse could be their state, 
Who sought, if they must perish, to inflict 
All injury possible upon the foe, 
Spread terror midst the colonists ; 
"Some witchcraft Metacomet must assist." 



36 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

X. 

All animals in summer reproduce, 
Their flesh untasty and the fur unfit ; 
But by the wayside many fruits abound 
And roots, in succulence, are easy found. 

The trees in leaf aid hostile secrecy, 

The limber twig is silent as it bends ; 

The trodden grass soon heals its surface wound ; 

The dry earth takes no imprint : night is mild. 

By all the Indian reasoning should war 

Be to the milder weather strict confined : 

The warrior, unburdened, strikes swift blow 

And hies him home whose weakness tempts like fate. 

Perhaps the foes like-minded meet half way; 
Perhaps they miss and each finds easy spoil ; 
But each can guess what at the home might be ; 
'Twere well if they meet not on the return. 

Frost, and the fall winds with chilling rain. 
Change all ; and by the Indian custom 
Enterprise, part torpid but never quite unwary, 
Bides the coming of another year. 

A body of the Wampanoags 
In middle autumn sought the block. 
Where, now unto their families joined, 
They rested, and adventures told. 

And to Conanchet's leadership 
They told of Metacomet's quest 
Who, to the tribes beyond the hills, 
Was gone to treat, with some few men. 

But he would soon return ; meantime 
They sought to aid their allied hosts 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 37 

As these might counsel, and complete 
Provision for the next campaign. 

The grain, for some time harvested, 
Was stored within the wigwam walls. 
That it might some protection give 
From missiles seeking those within. 

Some hunted for the meat and furs ; 
Some fished with nets or jagged spear; 
The squaws the provender would dry- 
That plenty might divide with want. 

The children romped as children do. 
Yet willing help they gave betimes, 
And old and young occasion took 
For games and chat, or sang wierd songs. 

Jack Frost was crabbed though that year, 
And forced the water quick to freeze ; 
The swamp became a glassy floor 
A handy ball-ground blithely used. 

Through the cover of the pond 
The spearman drew the writhing fish ; 
Down the island's snowy slopes 
Kiddies scooted on bark sleds. 

Narramattah and Conanchet 
Shared in full exhilaration ; 
Human kindness ever leading 
Hosts and guests one family. 

Across the open swift a running brave, 
Whose features drawn his portent news foretold, 
That all who saw quick hastened to the chief 
Or sought in hurry those within near call. 

The runner panted out his baleful tale — 
"The Yengees come." 



88 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

"Quick light the signals," Conanchet gave the word; 
Lucky those too far to reach the block. 

As these approached, the quick repeating shots 
Told of grim battle through which no entry. 
So they must lurk without in bitter cold, 
Trap the unwary or harry when the whites retreat. 

Within, Conanchet made determined fight — 
A party which sought the gate to rush 
Were driven back — 
The dead and wounded froze upon the ice. 

Out, from the circle of the trees 
The whites poured forth a murd'rous fire. 
The women had many wounds to dress ; 
Ere night fell many braves were dead. 

Their proud fort was untenable ; 

When darkness came those who could sought safety 

Ran the gauntlet of blazing rifles, 

Killed as they might, and found the wood. 

Many fell ; but better 'twas to save a few 

Than that all perish. 

Oh bitter night ! Cold took an awful toll. 

Hunger added its distress e'er friends were reached. 

The whites soon rushed the weak remaining. 
The old, the wounded and the children 
Were shot at sight ; or perished in the flames 
Of wigwam and granary ruthlessly destroyed. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish • 39 



XL 



Great the torment of Conanchet ! 

Narramattah sympathetic 

Hid her suff 'ring ; ever cheerful 

Sought by winsome ministration 

Or by grief expugning chatter 

To change the bent of his dread musing. 

How irked her futile cooing ! 

No word she said her pinched face filled, 

No glance but took his wan companions, 

His ears no prattle heard. 

No counsel from the sages, 

No hope some might be diff 'rent than he knew. 

The stragglers, welcomed to the camp. 
But added to his woe; 
They told of hov'ring near the block 
To find perchance midst embers black 
Some food unburned; or breathing friend. 
Saved by the conflagration's warmth. 

The whites had quick dispersed. 
Though they the Indian stores destroyed 
Yet unprovisioned quite were they, 
So gaunt they could not make pursuit. 
Conanchet voiced accusing thought, 
"Had I remained the fight was ours." 

"My son," said Metacomet, "you but did 
What seemed best as you conditions knew. 
Cease repining. 
And prepare for revenge. 
Wish-ton-Wish, by Miantonomoh hallowed, 
Is again populated." 

In frenzy worked Conanchet 
Scarce grudged his troubled sleep 



40 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

And Narramattah fearful, 
Yet welcomed his changed tenor ; 
Time, the great abrador. 
Soothed both to calm control. 

Spring hastened. When the ground was firm 

The Indians moved on Wish-ton-Wish, 

One glorious morning crept to its edge, 

But not unnoted ; 

A greyhead white, from his high hill, 

Had seen, and rushed to warn the folk. 

The homes outlying first surrounded 
Were tenantless and put to torch, 
As spread the warriors for vantage. 
Soon the interchanging bullets 
Sought to strike the forms unsheltered ; 
Many hits and many misses. 

Then a party from the stockade 
Led by the old man who warned them, 
Sortied midst adjacent buildings 
By the Indians not yet compassed ; 
Dodging, shooting, killing, dying, 
Checking Conanchet's advance. 

For the eager Narragansetts 
To one side pressed round the village. 
But must first this party slaughter. 
Get between them and the stockade, 
And swing round them out of gun range. 
Dodging, shooting, killing, dying. 

Then behind there struggled towards the post 

A woman hanging to the arm 

Of an armed man ; the while 

Two aged men kept guard with rifles fore, 

One of which was this same greyhead white 

Whose virulence again was evident. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 41 

But too late ! The last defender slain 

The Indians rushed upon this party. 

Bang ! Bang ! Bang ! the empty rifles clubbed, 

A scuffle with quick end, 

And four devoted to the stake 

Stood in the Indian midst. 

Before his unbelieving eye 

Conanchet saw the mother of his wife, 

Weak and wan as one who'd suffered much ; 

Her husband, somewhat aged ; 

Erect and sturdy, the grim white chief; 

The refugee, who all had warned. 

A guard to keep them safe assigned 

He hastened to the field 

To seek Metacomet, 

And find what portent he 

Put on this prodigy : 

And felt himself to know he were awake. 

"Conanchet this cannot be. 

Didst thou not see the flames consume 

The block which held them all?" 

"Yes, yes," said Conanchet, 

"But come thou and question the white chief. 

I've sent for Narramattah." 

"White man," said Metacomet, 
"By what magic art thou alive? 
Many of our warriors here 
Saw the log fort burn o'er thy head ; 
Yes, and over these thy people. 
What spell has saved thee?" 

"No magic, Indian! 

See yonder the ruins of a well ? 

When water failed we crept within its cool. 

See'st thou not, heathen, how God's hand 

Protects His children?" 

"See if He save you now," said Metacomet. 



42 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

Then in the Indian tongue he said, 

"Conanchet, how simply were thy warriors fooled. 

Give them to the stake — 

Take thy revenge ! 

"No," said Conanchet, "these people live — 

Or Conanchet dies." 

"What! My Son! 

Hast forgotten the Narragansett village? 

Hast forgotten Miantonomoh ?" 

"No ! Miantonomoh has fashioned all 

That I, his son, may keep my trust. 

See ! Here comes Narramattah. 

"His spirit, the guardian of this plain, 

Repentant, brought us all together. 

No more I fight upon this field !" 

"No?" hissed Metacomet. 

Hands sought knife — Forbearance won : 

And Metacomet led his men into the woods. 

In the grim warrior 

From whose girdle hung a dripping scalp 

Nought recognized the whites 

Of captive boy : 

And the tanned princess tall, serene. 

In recollection was but baby still. 

"Narramattah look ! 

Does the white woman to your heart recall 

The mother that but dwelt within thy dreams? 

Search, Narramattah, search !" 

"Ruth Heathcote! Here is thy daughter! 

Conanchet has kept his pledge." 

As heart to heart they pressed, through flowing tears 

Each made keen survey of the other face. 

"My dear, dear child," said Ruth. The maiden's tongue 

Did utter baby words by mem'ry thrust. 

And Narramattah, by Conanchet's honor bound, 

Docile to her fate, watched him depart. 



The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 43 

XII. 

Poor Indian maid ! 

What hope to comprehend her friend's desire, 

Their repugnance to her all — 

Mind and body in heathen defilation — 

In eagerness they pierced her quick 

Nor knew their bigot harshness. 



44 The Wept of Wish-ton-Wish 

XIII. 

They must plant grain. 

Conanchet and a few 

Sought friends, not yet disturbed, 

To know if their stock might partition bear : 

And on this quest, near compassed. 

Must seek the safety of the runner ; 

By fleetness, cunning, tempered striving, 

Make endurance bring them winner. 

Unnecessary trappings from him cast 
Conanchet in his strength felt all secure. 
Yet when the foe his belt of peag observed. 
Exertion doubled fugitive now known. 
Conanchet sought a creek-bed, stumbled, fell, 
His rifle soaked he yielded without blow, 
Convinced that fate would have it so : 
By Pequot captors taken to the whites. 

"But give up Metacomet wouldst thou live" — 

"No? Then send one with us to his lair?" 

"I know of none would be so low" — 

"Then to thy death," they said. 

And to the waiting Uncas now returned 

To whose will was his body grant, 

Save torture or dismemberment, 

He passed forever from the white man's ken. 

But we will follow. 

The grim Uncas, sated of revenge. 

Did halt his hand, and offer fair did make 

That his few numbers would forget, and, glad. 

His quality unto themselves would band. 

"No, Uncas, I am not Pequot — 

But would a day's respite to seek another. 

We'll meet tomorrow e'er the sun is hid." 

Narramattah, wakened in delight 

Could scarce conceive the stillness of the night 



. The Wept of Wisk-ton-Wish 45 

Broken by Conanchet's call. 
Again his bird-like note ; and all alert, 
Disturbing none in cunning eagerness, 
She hastened to the wood without to find 
Anticipation's hope had fruited full. 
Enquiry was by ecstasy o'ercome. 

Poor child ! 

Again the lover's honor held her fast. 

Hand in hand they set on the return ; 

Burdened, tranquil, 

A thousand tendernesses each for the other had : 

Unwilling words were not breathed out. 

Hand in hand returned to Uncas; 

Hand in hand faced executioners. 

"One moment, Uncas, I'll tell you when" — 
"My love ! Forgive me that I brought you here. 
Our oneness seemed to hold you to my end. 
My race doth find its cease in gloom. 
But happy I who knew thy love ; 
And die consoled that thou, of stronger race, 
Art to thy parents reunited 
As I go now join mine." 

To the spirits of his parents 
Spake Conanchet, head upraised, 
"Miantonomoh and mother I am coming! 
I have not understood." 

"Ready! Uncas. Farewell, dear love!" 
Narramattah, his hand pressing, 
Watched the raising of the rifles. 
Watched the fingers press the triggers : 

Ere the flame flashed from the muzzles 
Quickly swung herself before him — 
And the bullets bore her life blood 
That gave unto his life its ending. 



46 The Wept of Wish-tQn-Wish 



SEQUEL. 

Ruth Heathcote soon followed her daughter. To learn 
the fate of Metacomet read "Philip of Pokanoket," by Wash- 
ington Irving, whose master pen has pictured it beyond my 
effort. Read! Please read! But even he knew not, or tells 
not, the disposition of Metacomet's wife and son. They were 
sold to slavery in Cuba. Read Washington Irving's Columbus 
to learn the disposition of the native Cuban. 



All hail the bold Buccaneer! 
An honest soul was he ! 
He struck when first he found 
Not after he partook. 



-f'*' 



